The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel

(Paperback)

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Description

The suspenseful tale of two courageous kids and one inquisitive scientist who teamed up to stop an epidemic. "A delightful combination of race-against-the-clock medical mystery and outwit-the-bad-guys adventure." -Publishers Weekly, Starred Eel has troubles of his own- As an orphan and a "mudlark," he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He's being hunted by Fisheye Bill Tyler, and a nastier man never walked the streets of London. And he's got a secret that costs him four precious shillings a week to keep safe. But even for Eel, things aren't so bad until that fateful August day in 1854-the day the deadly cholera epidemic ("blue death") comes to Broad Street. Everyone believes that cholera is spread through poisonous air. But one man, Dr. John Snow, has a different theory. As the epidemic surges, it's up to Eel and his best friend, Florrie, to gather evidence to prove Dr. Snow's theory-before the entire neighborhood is wiped out. "Hopkinson illuminates a pivotal chapter in the history of public health. . . . Accessible . . . and entertaining." -School Library Journal, Starred "For readers who love suspense, drama, and mystery." -TIME for Kids

Reviews

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, September 2, 2013:
"Hopkinson adeptly recreates the crowded, infested streets of London, but its her distinct, layered characters and turbulent, yet believable plot that make this a captivating read."

Starred Review, School Library Journal, October 2013:
"Although detailing a dire period in history, Eel tells his story in a matter-of-fact and accessible manner, making his story palatable and entertaining."

Author Bio

DEBORAH HOPKINSON has written more than 40 books for young readers. Her picture books include Sky Boys- How They Built the Empire State Building, an ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book; Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek, an ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book and a Junior Library Guild Selection; A Boy Called Dickens; and the ALA Notable Book Apples to Oregon. She is also the author of the middle-grade novel Into the Firestorm- A Novel of San Francisco, 1906. Visit her at DeborahHopkinson.com.